Morning Note

Donald Trump announced Israel’s agreement to a 60-day ceasefire in its Gaza war on Tuesday, sharing the news in a Truth Social post and urging Hamas to accept the deal.

“Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War,” the president wrote. “I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,” he added.

Hamas expressed openness to the armistice hours later, but only if it “clearly leads to the complete end to the war.”

We don’t know how the White House persuaded the Netanyahu government to agree to stop its military campaign, but the president’s previous vow to be “very firm” with his special ally suggests he may have dropped the hammer to pressure the Israelis to conclude their conflict. Unlike Joe Biden, this commander in chief has the guts to use America’s leverage to get what he wants.

We sincerely hope this agreement comes to fruition. No matter what political views you hold on Israel, Palestine, or anything else in the Middle East, it’s impossible to deny that a sickening number of the region’s innocents have died over the past two years. If Trump puts a permanent end to it, the Norwegian Nobel Committee should rename its peace prize in his honor. 

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